Drop + OLKB Planck Mechanical Keyboard Kit V7 Discussions | Drop

Free Standard Shipping in the US on orders over $99

Showing 1 of 1940 conversations about:

Drop + OLKB Planck Mechanical Keyboard Kit V7

Mech Keys

FULL DISCUSSION

fluxrez

Apr 10, 2016

Can LEDs be installed into this? and if so, how difficult is it?

Apr 10, 2016

Vote

e_l_tang

121

Apr 11, 2016

fluxrezLEDs can be installed. You just have to solder them to the PCB like you will the switches.

Apr 11, 2016

Lapse

Apr 11, 2016

e_l_tangFrom what I understood, the switch led have to be non-RGB but you can still install a RGB strip, right?

Apr 11, 2016

Vote

scorpusone

Apr 11, 2016

LapseThere were a discussion about this furter up, I do not think the pcb supports 4 pin led's (rgb). But RGB strip and clear switches, plus maybe a riser of clear acrylic will look dope. Plus with the riser you are probably able to mount a battery and BT to the board in the alum case, the only thing to take into account is to buy all of the parts and calculate the width of the acrylic.
Myself I think it might look somewhat too much with rgb lighting so I'll probably make a riser of aluminium and make it match the case or some other matching color to make BT and the battery fit. BT is a great feature hehe. I'll probably go for cold led lighting as to have some source of light, but not sure if I want cold(lightblue/total white) or warm(lightyellow/'blellow') fit yet. I might wait and see what others come up with first.
I see that there are more than 700 who have joined, there's got to be someone amongst those who will think of something totally awesome and post a tutorial on the subreddit. I'll be going through those to find good mods to my planck and mix it up a little ;)
This guy made his with 'lite-on' rgb's that you can find here

http://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Lite-On/LTST-C19HE1WT/?qs=WAWaI72GHKxJLPArJA9%252bUw%3d%3d The semi-build log is located here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=79929.0
He said that to make these ones work you'd have to customize the pcb with theese at the back

Before:

After:

Looks like this finished:

I'm not able to post short replies, am I?

Apr 11, 2016

idgrx

Apr 11, 2016

scorpusonethe finish looks so sexy!

Apr 11, 2016

Vote

e_l_tang

121

Apr 11, 2016

LapseThat's exactly right.

Apr 11, 2016

scorpusone

Apr 12, 2016

idgrxHere is a link with total finish. Keycaps and all!

Apr 12, 2016

Vote

Stre7ch

Apr 12, 2016

scorpusoneSo, if there's just a grid of switches, how did you arrange this?

Apr 12, 2016

Vote

scorpusone

Apr 12, 2016

Stre7chAs mentioned, I have not received my planck yet. And I cannot take credit of the work of others. If you check one of my previous comments, the link to the build log is available. I have not arranged anything as of yet, just trying to explain what he did as far as I can interpret the build log. He/she/the brains behind this ingenious contraption of light-play has not provided an detailed build log, so I do not entirely know how. But I do believe you follow the same procedure, only adding one more lite-on rgb and WS2811S. Lite-on rgb: http://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Lite-On/LTST-C19HE1WT/?qs=WAWaI72GHKxJLPArJA9%252bUw%3D%3D
WS2811S: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50PCS-WS2811S-WS2811-SOP8-WORLDSEMI-NEW-/400985228084
Build log/source: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=79929.0

Apr 12, 2016

Vote

Proven

Apr 12, 2016

scorpusonewhat!? thats the same keyboard? what extras / options did you select?!

Apr 12, 2016

Vote

e_l_tang

121

Apr 12, 2016

ProvenIt does not have the same PCB. See the comment at https://www.massdrop.com/buy/planck-mechanical-keyboard/talk/397937.

Apr 12, 2016

Vote

Proven

Apr 12, 2016

e_l_tangSo thats not just the MIT keyboard layout option? I really wanna build that super tiny RGB keyboard. IDC about costs lol I must make that happen! The build log posted is hardly any info though. :(

Apr 12, 2016

Vote

scorpusone

Apr 12, 2016

ProvenClear switches, raise the pcb from the bottom with acryllic or something similar see through, then lay rgb lights in series beneath with some hot glue. Otherwise the pcb this guy had is exactly the same, only with mit layout. No pcb for the planck supports rgb natively, you have to mod it as I have stated numerous times. Look at the pictures I have provided above along with researching lite-on rgbs and WS2811S. That is what this guy did! ;) The build log does not go into detail, but if you pm him I can almost guarantee that he'll explain a bit deeper into the subject.

Apr 12, 2016

scorpusone

Apr 12, 2016

e_l_tangThis is my own comment, it is the same pcb with a little modding. See comment above this one!

Apr 12, 2016

Vote

Proven

Apr 12, 2016

scorpusoneCool thanks! So I wonder if I should even bother picking this keyboard up then? Just bought the Varmila VB87M from mass drop recently. Trying to pick up a few, but not trying to buy 6+ keyboards within 1-2 months. haha

Apr 12, 2016

Vote

scorpusone

Apr 12, 2016

ProvenHonestly, the only one that can answer that question is you. Personally the Planck is the perfect keyboard for me! The customizability is endless, the awesomeness in knowing no one could get it functioning perfectly without the dedication of learning how to solder, reprogram it, adding bluetooth and custom keycaps with my own preferences in switches. The Planck is not a toy, it is a lifestyle! And no one else gets to share that feel without dedicating their time and love to it.
I can only imgaine the feeling of the guy, when finally getting the rgb planck up and running after tedious research and dedication and waiting for all the parts to arrive. (See pictures below for reference)

Also, the planck is perfect for me because I work on the go. At the university, at home and when traveling. I can bet you that when I drag that beauty up from my backpack and start typing away it will result in an conversation or two hehe. I don't mind the extra weight when I can type on perfection everywhere. Also, if you have a rig at home then I suggest a big keyboard at home and a portable one laying around. 6+ keyboards sounds like too much hehe. But I am not made of money as a student, so I'll be picking this up as my primary keyboard for my laptop. ;)
May many internets come your way friend!
-Ruben

Apr 12, 2016

Proven

Apr 13, 2016

scorpusoneSo I just found that the vortex pok3r rgb is taking pre orders now for only 140, so I think ima just snag one of those. They are expected to ship next month too!

Apr 13, 2016

Vote